STEM OPT Machine Learning Engineer Jobs

Machine Learning Engineer roles sit squarely within STEM OPT eligibility, letting you work up to 36 months total with an employer enrolled in E-Verify. Your degree in computer science, statistics, or a related STEM field qualifies for the 24-month extension, giving you a longer runway to build production ML systems and pursue H-1B visa sponsorship.

Find STEM OPT Machine Learning Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs765+
Work Type73% On-site
Top LocationSan Francisco, CA
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 765+ Machine Learning Engineer jobs

General Motors
Senior Machine Learning Perception Engineer
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General Motors
New 6h ago
Senior Machine Learning Perception Engineer
General Motors
Sunnyvale, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Data Science
$171k - $261k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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TikTok
Machine Learning Scientist
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TikTok
New 20h ago
Machine Learning Scientist
TikTok
San Jose, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$388k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

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Databricks
Senior Applied ML Engineer
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Databricks
Added 1d ago
Senior Applied ML Engineer
Databricks
San Francisco, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Cloud & DevOps
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$16k - $21k/yr
On-Site
Master's
5,001-10,000

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Apple
Senior ML Engineer
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Apple
Added 1d ago
Senior ML Engineer
Apple
Cupertino, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
Data Analytics
$185k - $325k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Genentech
Machine Learning Engineer
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Genentech
Added 4d ago
Machine Learning Engineer
Genentech
San Francisco, California
Software Engineering
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Cloud & DevOps
MLOps
DevOps
Cloud Engineering
$141k - $274k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Machine Learning Engineer

Verify your CIP code before applying

Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Computer science, data science, and applied mathematics all qualify, but some interdisciplinary programs don't. Confirm with your DSO before submitting your STEM OPT extension request.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers

Every employer who hires you on STEM OPT must be enrolled in E-Verify. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name to confirm active enrollment before you sign anything. A company that isn't enrolled can't legally employ you on the extension.

Target roles with explicit ML infrastructure ownership

Job postings that list model deployment, MLOps, or production pipeline work signal deeper engineering need and stronger H-1B sponsorship intent than pure research or analytics roles. Employers filing LCAs for these specializations have a documented business need that supports future petitions.

Use Migrate Mate to filter for E-Verify employers

Search Machine Learning Engineer roles on Migrate Mate, which filters listings to employers with verified sponsorship history. You'll see which companies have active E-Verify enrollment and prior STEM OPT hiring patterns, cutting out the guesswork before you apply.

Negotiate your I-983 training plan before day one

Your employer must complete and sign Form I-983, detailing your learning objectives and supervision structure. Raise this during the offer stage, not after you start. ML roles should specify concrete deliverables like model evaluation frameworks or deployment pipelines, not vague descriptions of team contribution.

Time your H-1B registration around your OPT end date

If USCIS selects you in the H-1B lottery with an October 1 start date, cap-gap protection extends your STEM OPT authorization automatically while your petition is pending. Missing the March registration window means a gap in status, so track your OPT expiration date against the annual H-1B registration period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a machine learning engineer role qualify for STEM OPT?

Yes, if your underlying degree has a CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Degrees in computer science, electrical engineering, statistics, and applied mathematics all qualify. The role itself must also align with your degree field, and your employer must document that connection in Form I-983. Your DSO confirms eligibility before submitting the extension request to USCIS.

How do I verify that a machine learning employer is enrolled in E-Verify?

Use the E-Verify employer search tool to look up the company by name or employer identification number before accepting an offer. Active enrollment is a legal requirement for any employer hiring STEM OPT students, not just a best practice. If the company isn't listed, they can't hire you on the extension, regardless of their sponsorship willingness or size.

What goes into the I-983 training plan for a machine learning engineer?

Form I-983 must describe your specific learning objectives, the supervision structure, how the role relates to your STEM degree, and how your employer will evaluate your progress. For ML roles, that means naming concrete technical areas like model training pipelines, feature engineering, or inference optimization. Generic job descriptions don't satisfy the requirement. Both you and your supervisor must sign it, and it must be updated if your role or responsibilities change materially.

What happens to my STEM OPT if I'm selected in the H-1B lottery?

If USCIS selects your H-1B petition and your employer files it before your OPT expires, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. You can keep working for the same employer during that period without interruption. If October 1 arrives and your H-1B is still pending or approved, your H-1B status begins and your OPT ends.

Where can I find machine learning engineer jobs that sponsor STEM OPT students?

Migrate Mate lists Machine Learning Engineer roles filtered to employers with active E-Verify enrollment and documented sponsorship history, so you're not wasting applications on companies that can't hire you on OPT. You can search by role, location, and employer sponsorship activity to prioritize companies that have already navigated STEM OPT hiring and are set up to support the I-983 process.